Funds target rural electric infrastructure
Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials said the agency has earmarked $1.4 billion to build and improve rural electric infrastructure.
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said the funds would be invested in projects in 21 states, including providing financing through the Electric Loan Program as a means of helping to bolster 6,886 miles of line to strengthen reliability in rural areas.
The loans include $255.8 million for investments in smart grid infrastructure using digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in electricity usage.
“Modern and reliable electric infrastructure has been a cornerstone to rural prosperity since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,” Perdue said. “This funding we are providing is critical to rural communities and reflects President Trump’s commitment to increasing prosperity across all of rural America. When rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Georgia’s Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is receiving $229 million to connect 25,650 customers and build and improve 1,275 miles of distribution line to enhance system resilience and reliability.
Haywood Electric Membership Corporation, which serves about 27,000 members in three southern states, is receiving a $24 million loan to connect 1,800 customers, build and upgrade 58 miles of distribution line, and build four miles of transmission line.
Florida’s Peace River Electric Cooperative is receiving a $25.2 million loan to connect 3,988 customers, build and upgrade 103 miles of line, build and improve substations, switching stations and metering points and replace 30 transmission poles.
